How do you troubleshoot dynamic allocation issues and errors?

1 Check your line item settings

One of the first steps to troubleshoot dynamic allocation issues is to check your line item settings and make sure they are configured correctly. For example, you should verify that your line item type is either standard, sponsorship, or network, as these are the only types that are eligible for dynamic allocation. You should also check that your line item priority is set to 6 or lower, as higher priority line items will not compete with Ad Exchange. Additionally, you should ensure that your line item has a valid start and end date, a positive goal quantity, and a non-zero rate.

2 Check your ad unit settings

Another step to troubleshoot dynamic allocation issues is to check your ad unit settings and make sure they are enabled for dynamic allocation. To do this, you should go to the Inventory tab in Google Ad Manager and select the ad unit you want to check. Then, you should click on the Settings tab and look for the Dynamic allocation section. Here, you should see a checkbox that says "Maximize revenue of unsold and remnant inventory with Ad Exchange". You should make sure that this checkbox is checked and that you have selected an Ad Exchange property and a size mapping for your ad unit.

3 Check your ad tags and code

A third step to troubleshoot dynamic allocation issues is to check your ad tags and code and make sure they are compatible with dynamic allocation. For example, you should use Google Publisher Tags (GPT) instead of Google Ad Manager tags (GAM) or legacy DFP tags, as GPT is the recommended tag type for dynamic allocation. You should also avoid using any custom parameters or key-values that may interfere with dynamic allocation, such as google_adtest, google_console, or google_hints. Moreover, you should use the Google Publisher Console or the Google Ad Manager Debug Tool to inspect your ad requests and responses and look for any errors or warnings.

4 Check your reporting and performance

A fourth step to troubleshoot dynamic allocation issues is to check your reporting and performance and make sure they are accurate and consistent. For example, you should compare your Ad Manager reports with your Ad Exchange reports and look for any discrepancies or gaps in impressions, clicks, or revenue. You should also monitor your key metrics, such as fill rate, CPM, and eCPM, and look for any trends or anomalies that may indicate a problem with dynamic allocation. Furthermore, you should use the Troubleshoot tab in Google Ad Manager to investigate any specific line items, ad units, or creatives that may be underperforming or not delivering.

5 Check your policies and rules

A fifth step to troubleshoot dynamic allocation issues is to check your policies and rules and make sure they are not blocking or limiting dynamic allocation. For example, you should review your Ad Manager policies and make sure they are compliant with the Google Publisher Policies and the Google Publisher Restrictions. You should also review your Ad Exchange rules and make sure they are not too restrictive or conflicting with your Ad Manager settings. For instance, you should avoid setting a floor price that is higher than your line item rate, as this may prevent dynamic allocation from occurring.